Gilderoy Lockhart beamed at the reporter from the Wizarding Wireless Network as he gave a statement about the recent operation against Fenrir Greyback and his pack of werewolves. It had been a huge success and he was soaking up the admiration.
"How many were detained?" asked Dorothy Waffling.
"Thirteen," replied Lockhart. "Thirteen werewolves who were preparing an attack on a muggle town. Naturally, I couldn't stand by and let that happen. Wizards need to protect our muggle cousins," he said, giving a wink—a pointless wink, since it wouldn't be seen by those listening.
"As soon as my spy within You-Know-Who's ranks told me what was afoot, I knew I had to act—quickly and decisively. I mustered the Aurors immediately—of course I wanted to lead the operation myself. I know all about combating werewolves as anybody who has read my best-selling book Wanderings with Werewolves knows all too well. But, the Aurors are trained for this—I knew Shacklebolt and his Aurors would be more than up for the challenge! But make no mistake, my wand is ready and waiting for combat. I'll definitely step in if something arises that my Aurors can't handle!"
"How long have you had a spy within You-Know-Who's ranks?" the reporter asked.
"I can't tell you that," Lockhart said. "Don't want to jeopardise the operation. But rest assured, she gives me lots of information about his plans. I'm one step ahead of him, no fear!"
Lockhart had remembered what Dumbledore had said, to use female terms to refer to the spy within his ranks. Lockhart didn't quite know why, but he did as Dumbledore had asked. Working with Dumbledore was proving to be quite beneficial. The wizarding world thought him to be quite the shining star at the moment with the raid on the werewolf pack.
"Where are they being contained?" the reporter asked.
"Our new Head of Detention and Punishment discussed that, we considered the idea of a containment camp for all werewolves, but in the end, decided to treat them as we would ordinary wizards and Death Eaters—a hefty dose of the Draught of the Living Dead brewed by Ministry of Magic potioneers and then secured in a top-secret detention facility."
Lockhart answered a few more questions, then decided it was time to move on to his new idea.
"Now, it has been brought to my attention that Auror numbers are stretched thin at the moment. It is why I came up with the brilliant idea to supplement Auror numbers with members from the Dark Force Defence League. As I'm sure Shacklebolt here will tell you, it was an excellent idea of mine that allowed the Aurors to operate at full capacity.
He gestured at Shacklebolt who gave a small nod. "With the DFDL's assistance, we can carry out important raids while maintaining the numbers to continue former Interim Minister Bones' defensive strategy," Shacklebolt said.
"Now, I want to go one step further!" Lockhart announced. He didn't notice that Shacklebolt was frowning slightly. He hadn't spoken with his head Auror at all about his new idea.
"It gives me great pleasure to introduce the Auror Initiative," Lockhart said. "Essentially—it is a fast-track training scheme for potential Aurors. Instead of going through years of training, potential recruits will learn on the job! Each new recruit will be assigned a senior Auror as a mentor—they will watch, follow and learn from them in their day-to-day business and even take part in raids. We already have a number of talented young witches and wizards who wish to take part! This will double the number of active Aurors, almost overnight and allow Aurors to be fully trained at a higher rate! And, I've also lowered the age requirement and, for the period of the war, I'm allowing Aurors to qualify for training with lower NEWT results, so we have even more potential recruits!"
Lockhart could sense the reporter had some questions. He didn't like questions in case he was asked a difficult one, so he ploughed on.
"Now, allow me to introduce the first initiate into the Auror Initiative. Mr. Cedric Diggory."
The Aurors
Kingsley was annoyed at the Minister for going ahead with his Auror Initiative without even mentioning it to him first. He had been completely out of the loop—entirely blindsided by the suggestion—and during the press conference had had to nod and smile and answer questions as if he knew about it all along.
"It has some merit, though," John Dawlish said, fairly.
They were in a bar, having a few pints. There was himself, Dawlish, Gawain Robards and Alicia Parkinson.
Shacklebolt gave a small nod. "The reasoning is sound ..." he said, slowly. "We need numbers, that is true. But he should have run it by me first. It's a sound idea poorly thought out."
"Why?" asked Dawlish.
Alicia Parkinson answered. "Do you really think you can do your job properly while babysitting some wet-behind-the-ears kid?" She sneered. "We're Aurors, John—not babysitters. If we've got to keep one eye on some snot-nosed brat, we're going to struggle."
"Alicia is right," said Shacklebolt. "It's why Minister Lockhart should have run it through me. Together, we might have made it feasible ... only use the recruits for routine duties. Or bring in the mentorship after they have completed a certain amount of training. Throwing fresh-faced teenagers in the midst of a battle with Death Eaters—even with a senior Auror protecting them—is idiocy. People will die."
"Can't you argue against it?" Robards suggested.
"Have you met the new Minister?" Shacklebolt asked. "He does what he likes. He doesn't want to be told what to do."
"Unless it's worded in a way to make him look good, or can be framed as his idea," Alicia Parkinson said. "Dolores has a way of doing that. She's wormed her way into Minister Lockhart's inner circle."
"As long as it helps the fight against You-Know-Who," said Dawlish. "Umbridge has some good ideas."
"She's a bigot," Shacklebolt said, angrily.
"True—but detaining Death Eaters with the draught of the living dead is a sound idea," said Dawlish. "That has Umbridge's fingerprints all over it."
"As long as Minister Lockhart only listens to the good advice," Shacklebolt said, softly. "And doesn't start forcing muggleborns to register or targeting all part humans the way Dolores wants."
"It's working so far," Dawlish said. "Look, I was against Lockhart from the beginning. But he's doing well. We're finally taking the fight to You-Know-Who. That can only be a good thing?"
Shacklebolt gave a nod. It was true, Lockhart was having success at the moment. He just hoped the new Minister could keep it up.
Dudley Dursley
MINISTER LOCKHART ANNOUNCES THE AUROR INITIATIVE
Hot off the heels of a successful raid against a werewolf pack which led to thirteen arrests, including that of the notorious werewolf and murderer Pierre Sauvage, Minister Lockhart built on his success and shocked the wizarding world with his announcement of the Auror Initiative. The scheme will see fresh recruits paired with senior Aurors as mentors. Head of Detention and Punishment, Dolores Umbridge, praised the idea saying "It will finally give the Aurors the numbers needed to do their job."
Senior Auror John Dawlish also welcomed the proposal, saying, "A lack of numbers was holding us back. This will free up Aurors to take the fight against You-Know-Who."
Already a number of teenagers have joined the scheme, according to Minister Lockhart. The first new recruit presented to the public was Cedric Diggory—an 18 year old whose father works for the Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures. Cedric Diggory dropped out of Hogwarts early to pursue his dream of becoming an Auror.
Minister Lockhart, who taught, Diggory at Hogwarts, claims to have personally reached out to the strapping young teenage to be the face of the Auror Initiative.
"We have waived the usual requirements for Diggory," Lockhart said, "Granting him a place in the initiative on the basis of his predicted grades."
Another new recruit is recent Hogwarts graduate Marcus Flint. Flint's aunt, Penelope Flint is already a seasoned Auror with a career spanning 14 years.
Critics of the scheme pointed out that supervising new recruits might detract from the Aurors' official work. The fact that neither of the two first candidates achieved the usual required NEWT results also raised concerns that lowered standards would lead to a lower caliber of Auror.
"Flint and Diggory!" Ron said, aghast. "If that's the best the Aurors can drum up, You-Know-Who has nothing to fear."
"Come on, Ron, Diggory was a prefect and got top Owls," said Hermione. "He's very smart."
"What about Flint, then?" said Ron. "He's dumber than a troll!"
"Well ... even I can't defend that one," Hermione admitted.
Albus Dumbledore
"I'm glad you came, Kingsley," said Albus Dumbledore.
"I almost didn't," Shacklebolt admitted. "While Minister Lockhart isn't opposed to Order of the Phoenix, I am the Head Auror. I don't think he would be pleased if he found we spoke."
"He won't," said Dumbledore. "It is Minister Lockhart who I wish to talk to you about?"
Shacklebolt raised an eyebrow.
"Lockhart told you he has a spy in Lord Voldemort's ranks?" Dumbledore asked.
"He did, I was … surprised," Shacklebolt said.
"The spy isn't Minister Lockhart's. The spy is mine."
Shacklebolt didn't feel too surprised at this revelation. He should have guessed Lockhart wouldn't be smart enough to integrate a spy with the Death Eater ranks without bragging about it, and he had also guessed that Dumbledore had access to some inside intelligence.
"However, some of the information I get, will save lives, but I can't pass it to the Ministry without compromising my agent."
"You want me as a go between?" Shacklebolt said.
"Exactly," Dumbledore smiled. "It wouldn't seem strange for the Head Auror to have access to information. If my agent uncovers anything that the Ministry needs to know, can I rely on you to forward it to the Minister?"
Shacklebolt thought on what he was been asked. As far as he could tell, this would only aid the efforts of the Ministry in the war. He wasn't been asked to give any information to Dumbledore or betray the Ministry in any way.
"You can count on me," Shacklebolt said, giving a firm nod.
The Diggorys
"Atta boy, Ced," Amos said, handing his son a pint of mead. "You'll be the youngest Auror of all time. Always knew you had great things in you, my boy!"
"Thanks dad," said Cedric, grinning. "I'm just glad I get the chance to do my part in the war."
"I'll make sure you get assigned the best mentor," Amos said. "I can pull a lot of strings in the Ministry. I'll see if I can get you Dawlish or Robards. They're the best two after Shacklebolt. Stick to close to them, Ced, learn all you can. You'll be the Head Auror one day, mark my words—youngest Auror of all time."
"Well, I'm just a trainee Auror—not an Auror yet," Cedric said, modestly.
"It's only a matter of time, Ced," Amos said, dismissively. "Knuckle down and you'll be a full Auror in no time. Mark my words!"
Augusta Longbottom
"Are you quite sure, Augusta?" Dumbledore said.
"I'm sure," Augusta said, icily. "We have spent too long dallying around and look what happened? We should have struck hard long ago."
"But, Augusta-we value yours and Algernon's support. You can do a lot of good within our ranks," Minerva McGonagall said. "This comes as quite a shock ..."
"My mind is made up," Augusta Longbottom said, firmly. "The Order of the Phoenix is achieving nothing. Algernon and I have just lost her home-we have seen a number of our friends and associates murdered, and still you do nothing."
"I assure you, Augusta, there is a plan. But I urge patience. We need time."
"We don't have time," Augusta said, interrupting. "You-Know-Who grows more powerful and more brazen by the day. Our mind is made up, Algernon and I are leaving the Order of the Phoenix."